The United States is set to be removed as a country from which non-essential travel may be allowed. This could make it more difficult to travel from the United States to Europe.
White list countries are those that have low COVID-19 infections rates and are considered safe. White list residents are allowed to travel within and outside the EU with no restrictions, without any additional testing.
After reporting a declining trend in COVID-19 cases numbers, the US was added to this white list. This summer, Americans have been able travel to some European countries relatively easily in much the same manner as EU residents. This will all change as the US and five additional countries will be removed from the whitelist.
Ivan Nesterov/Alamy Stock photo: American tourists were able to enjoy relatively trouble-free trips to Europe this Summer.
This comes as the US exceeds the white-list limit of 75 COVID-19 patients per 100,000 in a span of 14 days, and hospitalizations throughout the country are also increasing. The EU has the power to order its 27 member countries to impose a travel ban against US visitors. This could mean that American tourists will no longer be able to travel to the EU without restrictions.
What does this mean for your trip to Europe
These proposals are not binding. Each country can decide whether to enforce them. Some EU countries like Greece and Croatia allowed Americans to travel to their country for tourism purposes even before the US was included on the white list. Others, like Portugal and Ireland, continued to place restrictions on the US despite its inclusion on the white list.
Depending on where you are, the impact of the latest proposals on your trip may not be significant.
Even though the new recommendations have not been implemented yet, it is possible that some countries will continue to allow tourists from the US, provided they can show proof of vaccination. Others might need additional testing or quarantine periods.
You should check with the US Embassy of the destination if you are planning a trip to the EU. Each embassy website contains a COVID-19 information page that provides country-specific information about testing, vaccination, quarantine rules, and the most recent entry and exit requirements for Americans.
Introducing Europe
Other countries that will be removed from this white list are Israel, Lebanon and Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. In the last few weeks, all five countries have reported an increase in coronavirus cases.
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